Step down to Step Up: Great value wines to make a difference, this week Southern France/Rhone.
Over the next couple of weeks we will be posting a number of blogs that will help you to decode the mysteries of the winelist, showing you how to get the ‘biggest bang for your buck’ and how to drink like a vintellectual. Better still, with all the money you will be saving, you can afford to drink with a conscience; this week, rather than splashing out on a more expensive bottle of wine why not choose more reasonably priced alternatives to the classics and donate the difference to the Haiti earthquake appeal? (Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC); UNICEF). Then you can sit back and imbibe the vino, guilt-free…
If you enjoy the robust and rich wines from this region with plenty of fruit and body, you are probably tempted to head straight for Chateauneuf-du-Pape, but as their reputation has increased, so has their price correspondingly more than fourfold in a decade. Thus some alternatives are required:
Château Pesquié Côtes-du-Ventoux Les Terrasses 2007
It is possible to find alternatives from the Rhone without budget busting prices, even in the city. Rhodes 24 are serving the Château Pesquié Côtes-du-Ventoux Les Terrasses 2007, a deep red with plenty of black currant and cherry fruits (and a third of the price of its better known neighbours Châteauneuf-du-Pape or Gigondas.)
Where to drink: Rhodes 24; 21212
Where to Buy: The Fine Cheese Company; Flint Wines
Bandol Rouge, 2005, Domaine Le Souffrane, Provence
32 Great Queen Street in Covent Garden is well worth a visit; in spite of being a little limited, their whole list shows great value throughout. As our local, we have developed a few favourites, but standing out at the moment is the Bandol Rouge, 2005, Domaine Le Souffrane. Bandol is one of the best red wines from Provence often displaying full and spicy characteristics, we were particularly impressed by how the tannins were much more discreet than one would expect.
Where to drink: 32 Great Queen St
Where to buy: This one is decidedly hard to find – but at the prices 32 Great Queen St charges, there is no reason to eat/drink in!
Pic St Loup Bergerie de l’Hortus 2007, Languedoc
Also available from Rhodes 24, this is a refined yet powerful red with a surprisingly silky texture; Top Vintellect Tip - The wines from the Languedoc are comparable to those of the Southern Rhone – grapes (Syrah/Grenache-based) and wine styles (warm, rich, riper) are a great meeting point of the old and new worlds – so should appeal to the palate of those from both when in a big mixed group and at a more affordable price.
Where to drink: Rhodes 24; Wild Honey
Where to Buy: Lea and Sandeman; Everywine.co.uk; Vin neuf
If you are interested in learning more, WineChap can help – we offer a bespoke private Vintellect tasting, Vintellect-List Tips. Perfect for parties and corporate events and tailored to suit your needs WineChap tastings are uniquely fun, lively and un-stuffy but the informational content will allow you to impress lovers and clients with aplomb.
Contact ukevents@winechap.com for more details.
Wine Picks of the Week #4 – The Vintellect Series
Step down to Step Up: Great value wines to make a difference, this week Southern France/Rhone.
Over the next couple of weeks we will be posting a number of blogs that will help you to decode the mysteries of the winelist, showing you how to get the ‘biggest bang for your buck’ and how to drink like a vintellectual. Better still, with all the money you will be saving, you can afford to drink with a conscience; this week, rather than splashing out on a more expensive bottle of wine why not choose more reasonably priced alternatives to the classics and donate the difference to the Haiti earthquake appeal? (Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC); UNICEF). Then you can sit back and imbibe the vino, guilt-free…
If you enjoy the robust and rich wines from this region with plenty of fruit and body, you are probably tempted to head straight for Chateauneuf-du-Pape, but as their reputation has increased, so has their price correspondingly more than fourfold in a decade. Thus some alternatives are required:
Château Pesquié Côtes-du-Ventoux Les Terrasses 2007
It is possible to find alternatives from the Rhone without budget busting prices, even in the city. Rhodes 24 are serving the Château Pesquié Côtes-du-Ventoux Les Terrasses 2007, a deep red with plenty of black currant and cherry fruits (and a third of the price of its better known neighbours Châteauneuf-du-Pape or Gigondas.)
Where to drink: Rhodes 24; 21212
Where to Buy: The Fine Cheese Company; Flint Wines
Bandol Rouge, 2005, Domaine Le Souffrane, Provence
32 Great Queen Street in Covent Garden is well worth a visit; in spite of being a little limited, their whole list shows great value throughout. As our local, we have developed a few favourites, but standing out at the moment is the Bandol Rouge, 2005, Domaine Le Souffrane. Bandol is one of the best red wines from Provence often displaying full and spicy characteristics, we were particularly impressed by how the tannins were much more discreet than one would expect.
Where to drink: 32 Great Queen St
Where to buy: This one is decidedly hard to find – but at the prices 32 Great Queen St charges, there is no reason to eat/drink in!
Pic St Loup Bergerie de l’Hortus 2007, Languedoc
Also available from Rhodes 24, this is a refined yet powerful red with a surprisingly silky texture; Top Vintellect Tip - The wines from the Languedoc are comparable to those of the Southern Rhone – grapes (Syrah/Grenache-based) and wine styles (warm, rich, riper) are a great meeting point of the old and new worlds – so should appeal to the palate of those from both when in a big mixed group and at a more affordable price.
Where to drink: Rhodes 24; Wild Honey
Where to Buy: Lea and Sandeman; Everywine.co.uk; Vin neuf
If you are interested in learning more, WineChap can help – we offer a bespoke private Vintellect tasting, Vintellect-List Tips. Perfect for parties and corporate events and tailored to suit your needs WineChap tastings are uniquely fun, lively and un-stuffy but the informational content will allow you to impress lovers and clients with aplomb.
Contact ukevents@winechap.com for more details.
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